Virginia Supreme Court Rejects Democratic Redistricting Map

Virginia Democrats on Friday asked the state Supreme Court to stay its ruling that invalidated a congressional redistricting map narrowly approved by voters last month. The joint motion, filed by the state, House of Delegates Speaker Don Scott and others, seeks to delay issuance of the mandate while they pursue an emergency petition to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The Virginia Supreme Court ruled 4-3 that the legislature began the constitutional amendment process too late for the referendum to be lawful. The map would have created as many as four new pickup opportunities for Democrats in the state's delegation ahead of the 2026 midterms.

Rae Pickett, spokesperson for Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones, said the filing was necessary to explore every option to restore the will of the voters. "Today’s action is an imperative step in the process we promised to pursue to explore every available option to restore the will of the voters," Pickett stated.

The rejected map had been approved in a referendum last month. The court found that Virginia voters could not amend the constitution through a single referendum without two legislative votes separated by an election. Jones said earlier Friday that his office was carefully reviewing the order and evaluating every legal pathway forward to defend the will of the people.

Scott posted on X that Virginia voters had supported the map and urged Democrats to continue fighting. The ruling represents a setback for Democrats nationally as they seek to offset Republican advantages from redistricting in other states. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries called the decision an undemocratic action that cannot stand and said options to overturn it were being explored.

The Virginia decision comes days after the U.S. Supreme Court issued its April 29 ruling in Louisiana v. Callais. That opinion held that race could not be the predominant factor in drawing congressional maps, narrowing application of the Voting Rights Act.

Bill Lee signed a new map into law that fractures the Black-majority Memphis area across three districts, aiming to eliminate the state's lone Democratic-held congressional seat. Rep. Steve Cohen said he would file a lawsuit in response. Alabama's legislature passed legislation on May 6 authorizing special congressional primaries as it seeks to reinstate its 2023 map.

Gov. Kay Ivey called a special session after the Supreme Court decision, which state officials believe supports their position. Louisiana suspended its May 16 primary after the ruling, with litigation ongoing over the timing. Mississippi and South Carolina have also initiated steps to redraw maps following the Supreme Court opinion, with South Carolina's House approving a resolution to reconvene for that purpose.

“Yesterday’s historic Supreme Court victory for Louisiana has an immediate consequence for the state.”

Republicans believe new maps across multiple states could net them as many as 13 House seats, while Democrats estimate potential gains of up to 10. Some newly drawn districts are expected to remain competitive.